PCLL Invitational

by **Gregg Pathiakis** on Thu Apr 07, 2005 11:45 am

What do people think about the idea of having a PCLL Invitational tournament... 8 teams... 4 PCLL, 4 out-of-conference, maybe 4 more teams, 2 PCLL Div. B, 2 out-of-conference Div. B. in early April. We could probably have it at the Chelsea MetroLax fields in early April (like around this time). Be a great way to get some out-of-conference games and to showcase some of the better teams around the country.

**Sponsor**

by **Rad44** on Thu Apr 07, 2005 12:12 pm

Great idea! I think the PCLL is gaining some serious attention now with some impressive wins and close games this season. It would be awesome to get some of the national teams out here in some nice weather just as PCLL teams have had enough time to come into their own.

by **Tim Gray** on Thu Apr 07, 2005 12:20 pm

I would love it. NU would definitely take part in it and help get it going. I bet if teams would get gauranteed 3 - 4 games, we could get some quality teams here, especially some teams that our PCLL teams have traveled to and played.

by **Daniel Morris** on Thu Apr 07, 2005 1:10 pm

I would also love to have an invitational. But there are two issues I see immediately jumping out.

First, who plays in it from the PCLL? If we are inviting programs, we want to invite Top 25 programs, and we want to invite a couple of away teams at least. We want to play our best teams. Michigan's invitational is them and three out of conference opponents. How do we decide which PCLL team plays? One team? Two? Anything more is a local tourney, not an invitational. Do we do 2 PCLL and 2 OOC? 1 PCLL and 3 OOC? Northeastern wants in, BC is our best chance to draw, I'm sure UNH and Bridgewater would want a crack. So format and attendence are going to be huge discussions.

Second, April is a tough month to get teams to travel. They are gearing up for playoffs, and almost everyone is past spring break. A long weekend would work best, but we would need to keep the tourney small if we did that. April also cuts into our prime dates for league games. When first discussed, we talked about a March time frame at an indoor fieldhouse. That would coincide with spring break travel times for other teams, and allow a couple of early PCLL games on the East coast. If we did do a long weekend, we would probably be limited to CCLA & SELC teams. Anyone else would just be travelling to far for too short a time.

Just some things to think about. I don't know if we could get this ironed out by next season, but should be thinking at least for 2007.

by **Rad44** on Thu Apr 07, 2005 1:14 pm

I know for us, we've been asked to go down to GT next Feb. to participate in an ACC tourney, with FSU, GT, NC State and maybe 1 or 2 more teams. We've been guarenteed 3 games with an option for 4 as well as practice times. Although we have not committed, it is high on our list.

Would the PCLL Invitational try and grab a few teams from one confrence or region in the country, almost making it a league-competition- PCLL vs.......? or would the targeted teams be from various leagues. Both would be fun.

Like NU, BC would love to help in any way possible.

Great exposure for the confrence.

by **Rad44** on Thu Apr 07, 2005 1:21 pm

I agree with Dan. Although I think that this could get worked out for next season, however we would be restriceted to east coast and maybe midwest teams. BC is hoping for an invite to the UM Invitational in late March, with (very) limited talk in progress, only through players.

One way to settle which PCLL team plays could be to take the top 1-3 teams in the final league standings. Seeing as how NU, UNH, BC and BWS look to be the major contenders, the league could fall any way- seems like a fair way.

Maybe an Easter shootout- some extra days to play with, at least at BC.

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